Black Friday Sales 2010 Begin Today

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving, when retailers across the country open before dawn and dangle deep discounts to lure customers out of bed. Some deal-seekers even show up in pajamas. The name itself is a reference to profit, because retailers historically “moved into the black,” or became profitable for the year, on this day.

Not just because it’s Halloween weekend, but because retailers are starting holiday sales well before the traditional Black Friday sales held starting the Friday after Thanksgiving. It’s called Black Friday because many retailers are so dependent on holiday shopping that this is the season their business runs in the black instead of the red.

As if the day after Thanksgiving weren’t soon enough–stores are already dropping their prices. It’s not Black Friday. It’s PRE-Black Friday. Some companies are more than happy to go ahead and take some of your money. And I’m sure you’re also more than happy to fill up your cart with huge discounts.

There’s probably no better time to look for games, movies, and various equipment. Amazon’s festivities begin tomorrow, so you can expect all sorts of discounts on things like TVs, Blu-ray players, games, speakers, etc. You know: things you care about.
Target is launching a 4-day sale starting Sunday, November 21st. It will feature more than 170 items that will not be included in their Black Friday sale. Coupons will be available in the Sunday circular to offer even more savings. The pre-Black Friday sales begging October 29, on the usual Amazon Gold Box site.

According to the New York Times, retailers who have had slow sales lately (Wal-Mart Stores, Sears) and those with rising sales (Amazon, Target) are moving the grab market share and shopper dollars early. And shoppers are more savvy – shopping harder and looking for the sales.

The first “Black Friday Now” deals at Sears will be available beginning Friday and Saturday. Amazon’s electronics department will offer sales on items like Blu-ray players and high-definition TVs on Friday, and Toys “R” Us is putting all the items in its 80-page Christmas toy book on sale on Sunday.

Sherif Mityas, a partner in the retail practice at the consulting firm A. T. Kearney, said:

“Consumers have been trained to buy merchandise only ‘on sale,’ ” . “Given a limited budget, if retailers don’t capture that first or second purchase, they may find themselves with a lot of inventory the week before Christmas and the need for massive discounting to save the holiday.”

According to the fuznews.com, Kohl’s will be running four different pre-Black Friday sales between November 5th and November 20th. Highlights include a November 17th “Secret Sale” where an additional 15-30% will be taken off everything in store and online. Kohl’s Cash program, where you get a $10 gift-card for every $50 spent, is also coming back.